Teams 2009

Sallyport Sword

Sallyport are a veteran rapper side from Newcastle upon Tyne. Founded in 1969, they perform a number of traditional rapper dances including Newbiggin, Winlaton, Beadnell, Murton and Swalwell.

The team is based at the Cumberland Arms in Byker, Newcastle upon Tyne. Their chief annual event is the 'Shields Road Crawl', which runs from Shieldfield to the Cumberland Arms along the pubs of Shields Road in Byker.

Sallyport took the Premier Class award at the 2005 Dancing England Rapper Tournament (DERT), a feat they have achieved no less than 3 times!

© Richard Sunderland

Wakefield Morris

Wakefield Morris are a mixed side comprising dancers from two older teams, The Horberie Shrogys and Ring O'Belles.

For some years the two teams danced as two separate entities, although a mixed set would form part of the regular display. But as time went by the numbers of men in the side reduced and the appearance of a Shrogys side became a rarity. The team's appearances now featured a mixed side more and more, with the occasional display dance by the "Ring O'Belles". The mixed side had taken on the rather prosaic title of "Wakefield Morris Dancers" and this is the name that has stayed.

The team has now been together for over twenty four years and includes in the present side some who have danced through the majority of the teams history. Highlights in the history have been tours to France and Germany, regular appearances at folk festivals throughout Britain such as Whitby, Sidmouth, Warwick, Holmfirth and Cleethorpes.

Britannia Coco-nut Dancers

The Britannia Coco-nut Dancers (or Nutters) are simply not to be missed. They are a totally original side from Bacup near Burnley. Performing with blackened faces and the most bizarre costume, they are unique!

Seven Dances are performed in total. Five Garland Dances, simply known as Nos' 1 to 5 and two Nut Dances 'Thowd Cash' and the 'Figures'.

© Chris Coe

Leeds Morris Men

Leeds University Morris Men were founded by a group of Leeds University lecturers around 1950 as part of the University Folk Dance Club. The side still has links with the University, though the word 'University' was soon dropped from the name.

Throughout their history, the side has always held a 'Dales Tour', which has taken place every year without a break from 1952 until the present. They have also embarked on tours of the Cotswolds and performed in Dortmund in 1989.

© Richard Sunderland

Ripley Green Garter

Ripley Green Garter are an all female side performing a variety of dances in the North West tradition. The team has been performing for over 2 decades and has members spanning all ages.

They perform at venues throughout the country and also embark on a tour of France every two years with Ripley Morris.

Dancing in black skirts, white blouses and patchwork waistcoats, this is their first visit to rushbearing

White Rose Morris Men

White Rose Morris Men have promoted the South Midlands (or Cotswold) tradition for over 50 years, firstly in Leeds and, since 1971, in Huddersfield, and have also danced in Sweden, Jersey, Provence and Romania.

Dressed prettily in whites with green baldrics, red belts, straw hats and coloured bell pads below the knee, White Rose will be dancing the traditions of Oddington, Bampton-in-the-Bush and Bidford, with a bit of Fieldtown, Adderbury and Upton thrown in. (And see if you can count the number of former Sowerby Bridge Morris Men in the side).